[Kitt]

Hi Kitt, how did you find out about the dealerships in the Bay Area offering the grants? By calling the dealership? I am registered with WinVW in Fremont and they have not responded to my requests and they did not even know about them when I asked. I'm still at stage 2 and thinking I may still have time to change and thinking Capital VW in San Jose. Thx

To be fair to the dealerships, the sheer number of EV grants in California (with confusingly similar names) makes it challenging to keep track. A good starting point is the savings calculator. By just playing around with the fields (trying out different zipcodes and incomes) I've learned a lot of state and regional incentives available to us.

For example, the State and regional programs available in my zipcode are:

• Clean Fuel Reward
• Clean Vehicle Assist
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District grant
• Clean Vehicle Rebate
• Clean Vehicle Increased Rebate
• PG&E Clean Fuel Rebate.

If you live in for example San Mateo county there will be additional county grants. Some require a pre-approved dealerships, some don't. Some can be stacked, some can't. Both participating dealership list and "stackability" are often listed (read: hidden) on the FAQ pages.

I noticed my dealership wasn't listed on most lists, so I emailed them. Which went as follows: "I see you are not pre-approved for grant X", "Yes, we are participating in grant Y", "That's a different grant", "We are also participating in grant X", "You're not on the list", "Oh there was some miscommunication, check the list again next week", "What about grant Z, I don't see you on the list either?", "Screw you, Y and X should be good enough for you." They obviously didn't literally say screw you, but that was the essence of their message.

 

[Rob E]

As far as I can tell, dealers don't need to do anything for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. However, the specific model must be approved for the program, and currently the ID.4 is not.

ID.4 is listed.

 

[TimD]

ID.4 is listed.

I think those are two different California programs - Clean Vehicle Rebate Project v. Clean Fuel Reward.

 

[ChristophW]

I think those are two different California programs - Clean Vehicle Rebate Project v. Clean Fuel Reward.

Correct. ID4 needs to appear on this page (hopefully soon): CVRP Eligible Vehicles

Didn't we say California's incentives are confusing?

 

[AMobious]

To be fair to the dealerships, the sheer number of EV grants in California (with confusingly similar names) makes it challenging to keep track. A good starting point is the savings calculator. By just playing around with the fields (trying out different zipcodes and incomes) I've learned a lot of state and regional incentives available to us.

For example, the State and regional programs available in my zipcode are:

• Clean Fuel Reward
• Clean Vehicle Assist
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District grant
• Clean Vehicle Rebate
• Clean Vehicle Increased Rebate
• PG&E Clean Fuel Rebate.

If you live in for example San Mateo county there will be additional county grants. Some require a pre-approved dealerships, some don't. Some can be stacked, some can't. Both participating dealership list and "stackability" are often listed (read: hidden) on the FAQ pages.

I noticed my dealership wasn't listed on most lists, so I emailed them. Which went as follows: "I see you are not pre-approved for grant X", "Yes, we are participating in grant Y", "That's a different grant", "We are also participating in grant X", "You're not on the list", "Oh there was some miscommunication, check the list again next week", "What about grant Z, I don't see you on the list either?", "Screw you, Y and X should be good enough for you." They obviously didn't literally say screw you, but that was the essence of their message.

Thanks Kitt, that is very useful feedback. so, I rang my dealership and spoke with their sales manager about each rebate. He was super helpful and asked for the details to be emailed. He also let me know they will check this out and respond.

 

[Kitt]

Thanks Kitt, that is very useful feedback. so, I rang my dealership and spoke with their sales manager about each rebate. He was super helpful and asked for the details to be emailed. He also let me know they will check this out and respond.

Great to hear he's willing to apply! I hope he knows what he's getting himself into It is so confusing, and unfamiliar territory for dealers who are used to selling gas cars.

 

[TT97]

To be fair to the dealerships, the sheer number of EV grants in California (with confusingly similar names) makes it challenging to keep track.

I know, there is almost a half dozen programs, if only they were in the business of selling cars. I don't expect a Southern California dealer to be aware programs for counties up north but it is no excuse for them not to be aware of state programs and local Counties.

 

[TimD]

A quick update for anyone interested in CA incentives:
My assigned dealer (Kearny Mesa VW) is not yet registered for the Clean Fuel Rebate, nor for the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. They say they will be for the former in time for delivery.
Not wanting to place large bets, I called VW Customer Care to be moved to a dealer who is in these programs. I am at stage 4/7, and the vehicle is already locked into the dealer per CC, so no move anymore.

Upshot: Make sure you choose a dealer that has their ducks in a row, and wish me luck.

Please let us know how things work out with your newly chosen dealer.

 

[ChristophW]

Please let us know how things work out with your newly chosen dealer.

My point was: at stage 4/7 I cannot change dealers anymore. So I'll have to cross my fingers and pray.
If you are lower than stage 4, consider your options now and go with a dealer who is ready for all incentives.

 

[NorCar]

I'm at stage 5 and am in the same boat with Niello Volkswagen in Sacramento. They only know about the $2,000 vehicle rebate and I have yet to convince them that the $1,500 rebate exists.

If there are any other Niello customers out there, please make your voices heard! I've purchased from them before, and they're a great dealership, but I don't want to pay a $1,500 premium to buy from them! BTW: They confirmed they will be selling at MSRP.

 

[Kitt]

My point was: at stage 4/7 I cannot change dealers anymore. So I'll have to cross my fingers and pray.
If you are lower than stage 4, consider your options now and go with a dealer who is ready for all incentives.

I'm at 3/7 and I'm not able to switch dealers according to VoA. If you're lucky, it could happen that the other dealer will have a FE that someone else cancelled and then cancel your FE order. It's kind of ridiculous, but if it saves you a few thousand dollars, it's worth it IMO.

 

[NorCar]

For any Niello customers out there, I'm happy to report that they applied for the program and were accepted in time. What a relief!

If your dealer hasn't joined the program yet, there's probably still time to convince them to join.

 

[michael]

I signed the docs yesterday for the ID.4.

CVRP website still does not include ID.4 on their list of eligible vehicles. The CVRP folks say that CARB still has not approved the ID.4. VW should have handled this long ago!

For reference, Mach-E is already listed, and it was launched around the same timeframe.

 

[Rob E]

I signed the docs yesterday for the ID.4.

CVRP website still does not include ID.4 on their list of eligible vehicles. The CVRP folks say that CARB still has not approved the ID.4. VW should have handled this long ago!

For reference, Mach-E is already listed, and it was launched around the same timeframe.

Thanks for the info on the CVRP. I don't qualify since this will be my 3rd BEV. Did you receive the CA Clean Fuel Rewards $1,500?

 

[onie]

Same here. Would be nice if they change the number allowed to 3.

 

[michael]

I spoke to an exec from VW and they said it'll be on the CVRP list in about 10 days. The official public release day isn't until later this week, but apparently some VW dealers jumped the gun with sales, mine included. There's supposed to be a big meeting between VW corporate and the dealers tomorrow about the release.

 

[Hedgehog26]

For those in CA, the CVAP grant which is for 5k has ran out of funds for now. My application was in review when they ran our of funds last week. Additional funding may become available but not in a few months time. The other CVAP grant for 2k that can be used for home charger installations I believe is still available.

 

[estebin]

Thanks @TPG They sure did a great job making the program as confusing as possible. So if I understand it correctly there's nothing the consumer has to do besides buying a listed EV at one of the participating dealers and the grant is automatically applied at time of purchase? That's honestly how all the EV incentives should work.

So for Californian buyers the list of potential incentives is:

• Federal Tax Credit $7,500
• Clean Vehicle Rebate $2,000
• Clean Fuel reward $1,500
• Clean Vehicle Assist $5,000

That's already up to $16,000 in incentives (though not many people will probably qualify for the max amount possible), plus local county or utility incentives.

thank you for this list I’m going to look into it and double check everything before my ID. Is ready in San Diego

 

[id4ftw]

Thanks for the info on the CVRP. I don't qualify since this will be my 3rd BEV. Did you receive the CA Clean Fuel Rewards $1,500?

I received the CCFR at the dealer without issue.

 

[Kitt]

I received the CCFR at the dealer without issue.

That's a different incentive.